Negawatt launches the Zero2 ESG reward app

The sustainable ESG rewards platform Zero2 had a launch event themed as a zero-carbon wedding for actress and model, Lin Min Chen, and is set to kickstart an ESG revolution

Tatler Gen.T was recently invited to a Hong Kong celebrity wedding with several of the city’s biggest business leaders in attendance. The bride was the popstar, actress and model Lin Min Chen, dressed in a pristine white gown specially designed by Noel Chu Atelier. The groom, curiously, was a happy pig in a superhero cape.

This ceremony was the symbolic launch event of the Zero2 app by Hong Kong engtech company Negawatt. The app is intended to support people living healthier and more sustainable lives by offering rewards for getting active. Users earn points by undertaking “missions” which can vary from using a reusable bag to undertaking a 10-kilometre walk. Points can then be spent on rewards such as nutritious food, health treatments, supplements or experiences.

Gen.T honouree and Negawatt co-founder and CEO Arthur Lam explained the rationale behind the symbolic wedding saying, “The commitment made by our celebrity, Lin Min Chen, shows we understand that being sustainable is a lifelong journey. It’s not about paying lip service, putting on a show or doing something once or twice. To save the world and to make an impact, we need to do it for our entire lives. It’s a big commitment.”

Above Negawatt CEO & co-founder Arthur Lam on stage with actress and singer Lin Min Chen and the Zero2 mascot (Photo: Rick Boost)

To have a launch for such an app with a high carbon footprint would be paradoxical, which is why Lam carefully orchestrated what he believes to be Hong Kong’s, and perhaps even the world’s, first net carbon-neutral wedding. Every detail during the planning was scrutinised.

Negawatt picked Zero Carbon Park as the venue because it utilises multiple low-energy methods to run events. Guests were served food in recyclable boxes and cans of coconut and soda water, sans ice. The bride’s exquisite designer dress was crafted using low-carbon and reusable materials such as Italian satin, soft tulle, French lace and recycled paper. Even the rock placed on Lin’s finger was carefully considered.

Above Lin Min Chen’s “wedding” dress is made from low-carbon and reusable materials (Photo: Negawatt)

Lam said, “The diamond ring that we symbolically gave to our celebrity bride is significant because as most people know, diamonds are made of carbon. What you didn’t know was the fact that we purchased 300 tonnes of carbon credits from the Hong Kong stock exchange. We wanted to use this as a way of demonstrating the many ways to tap into a low-carbon lifestyle. When Lin accepted the diamond ring, she gained 300 tonnes of carbon credits. In theory, the rest of her life will be carbon neutral. Now, when she uses our app to live an even lower carbon lifestyle, she will not only be carbon neutral, but carbon positive.”

The lucky porcine groom was Zero2’s mascot, the adorable ES Pig. Lam says the adorable mascot was selected to make the concept of better living less dry and more approachable. More importantly, this namesake was a cheeky bit of wordplay with the Cantonese word for pig (豬) sounding like the letter G, forming the initialism, ESG—the core ideology of the Zero2 app.

Above The Zero2 mascot and Lin Min Chen declaring a lifelong commitment towards living a low-carbon lifestyle (Photo: Negawatt)

“ESG stands for environmental, social and governance. With this app, we’re starting to tap into the social part. We’re building our own community and trying to gamify health because ‘social for wellness’ is a big topic. When people do yoga, boxing, running or walking, they can get points and be incentivised. With this app, we digitise how to become a healthy and sustainable citizen. When everything’s tied together, we can use all this data to prove that you’re living a green, sustainable, low carbon and carbon-healthy lifestyle.”

Gamification has been a major focus for businesses in recent years, with the incorporation of point systems and rewards becoming a regular feature of brand apps. According to Suleiman Amin, managing director of Catalyst, a tech accelerator based in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, who signed a strategic partnership in Dubai with Negawatt earlier this year, this move is necessary to reach the youth.

Above Managing director of Catalyst Suleiman Amin (Photo: Negawatt)

Amin says, “In the context of ESG, [gamification] makes sense. ESG usually relates to a younger kind of population, a younger kind of user. To keep them entertained, you need to add in some new flavours because you need to differentiate yourself from the pack. The introduction of gamification on this e-commerce platform is really incredible for the user experience.”

Amin also commented on the rationale behind Catalyst’s partnership with Negawatt and his belief in Lam’s vision. He said, “I think what’s special about the relationship is the fact that we have the same kind of investment strategy and thoughts related to ESG and how the world should be. To have a platform that’s finally coming to fruition like Arthur’s Zero2 app really demonstrates the commitment from him as a founder to drive this initiative.”

Above Negawatt CEO & co-founder, Arthur Lam (Photo: Affa Chan)

Lam tells us he wants to take ESG beyond the boardrooms and financial press. His goal is to make ESG a mainstream phrase and he believes that the unifying nature of the Zero2 app has the power to do that.

He says, “Zero2 means zero carbon emissions. The number two refers to both you and me because we cannot do anything alone. We need me, you, them; we need everyone all together.”

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Topics

ESG Zero2 Zero Two Zerotwo App Sustainability Hong Kong Negawatt Arthur Lam

Tatler Asia

Hong Kong company Negawatt aims to make sustainability trendy with its Zero2 app